The Paramounts built from around 1960 to 1970 were among the best bikes ever made in America. During the "bike boom" of 1971 to 1975, Schwinn doubled and tripled production by hiring new staff, running extra shifts, and by "out-sourcing" much of the Paramount program. Top components were in short supply, and some Paramounts were sold with less than "Pro" level components. The result was that most of the 1971 to 1975 Paramounts were superb, but some might had some minor issues relating to the "boom" in production. And, they were very traditional road bikes.

The Paramount of 1978 was very similar to the Paramount of 1968. And that was a GOOD thing for the folks who buy and ride traditional road bikes. But, almost "criminal" behavior, according to "marketing" types, who claim that each year's model should be "new and improved"...or at least have a speckled purple paint job.

Ed Schwinn was a guy who knew little about bikes, and less about building bikes. He was a "marketing" guy who wanted flashier bikes that could be built cheaper, and sold for larger profit margins. The "clue" to Ed's ethical judgment was his decision to buy some upper/mid-level Panasonics, some equipped with mid-level components, and sell them as "Paramounts". Because of Ed's decisions, from 1984 to 1991, the "Paramount" line included some fine "Made In USA" bikes, some rather nice Japanese bikes, and some very mediocre Japanese bikes. By 1991, this business "genius" had driven the largest bike maker in America into bankruptcy. Today, the company that PRETENDS to be Schwinn does not make even one single bike in the USA...just slaps a Schwinn decal on bikes Pacific imports from Asia. Thanks much, Ed!